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Home › Baby Names Directory › Anselm

Anselm

♂ Boy

Pronounced AN-selm /ˈæn.sɛlm/High

Meaning: From the Germanic ans, 'a god', + helm, 'a helmet/protection', hence 'God's helmet; divine protection'; borne by Saint Anselm; we note the saintLow

In 30 seconds: God's helmet; divine protection: Anselm is Germanic. Crisp, classic, and warm. We note the saint.
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Origin LowGermanic
MeaningFrom the Germanic ans, 'a god', + helm, 'a helmet/protection', hence 'God's helmet; divine protection'; borne by Saint Anselm; we note the saint
U.S. rank (2025)#8307 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 304

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619122025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Anselm comes from the Germanic ans, 'a god', + helm, 'a helmet/protection', hence 'God's helmet; divine protection'; borne by Saint Anselm of Canterbury (we note the saint). A crisp, classic name (said 'AN-selm').

In the U.S. it appears in German and Catholic families. Rare, God's-helmet at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Anselm joins the Germanic ans ('a god') and helm ('a helmet/protection'), hence 'God's helmet; divine protection' — borne by Saint Anselm — a crisp, classic name (we note the saint; said 'AN-selm').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Anselm — Germanic etymology; saint

Variations

AnselmoAnsel

Nicknames

Ansel

Famous Bearers

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If you like Anselm…

Anselmo— the Spanish/Italian form
Ansel— a kin short form
Aldric— a sound-adjacent Germanic boys' name
Alaric— a fellow Germanic boys' name

Explore names like Anselm

By themegermanic
By meaningGod / DivineProtector

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Anselm mean?

Anselm is Germanic for 'God's helmet; divine protection' (ans + helm); borne by Saint Anselm. We note the saint.

How do you pronounce Anselm?

It's said AN-selm /ˈæn.sɛlm/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Anselm a boy or girl name?

Anselm is a boy's name.

How popular is Anselm?

Anselm is a very rare name in the U.S.

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